Vancouver

Hit the slopes in the morning, relax on the beach in the afternoon, and enjoy sushi in the evening with a view of snow-capped peaks: Vancouver sits between the Pacific and the Coast Mountains and is considered one of the most livable cities in the world. A city break in Vancouver is also a nature experience.

Loggers, Railroad and the Olympics

The Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh have lived here for thousands of years, and their culture is once again more visible today. In 1792, British Captain George Vancouver surveyed the coast. The city grew out of a logging settlement that was nicknamed "Gastown" after a talkative saloon owner; in 1887, the transcontinental railroad reached the Pacific here. Vancouver became Canada's most important Pacific port and has attracted many immigrants from Asia for decades. Expo 86 and the 2010 Winter Olympics made the city known around the world.

Things to See in Vancouver

Stanley Park is larger than Central Park in New York and is almost completely surrounded by water. The Seawall, a waterfront path about nine kilometers (5.6 miles) long, is ideal for cycling and jogging; at Brockton Point you'll find totem poles from various coastal First Nations, and the Vancouver Aquarium sits in the middle of the park. On the edge of Downtown, Canada Place rises with its white sail-shaped roofs, where cruise ships depart for Alaska. The Vancouver Lookout observation tower offers a panoramic view. Gastown, the oldest neighborhood, has cobblestone streets and a steam-powered clock that whistles on the hour. On Granville Island, beneath the bridge, you'll find a market, artists' studios and a small brewery.

Neighborhoods from West End to Kitsilano

The West End, next to Stanley Park, is one of the densest residential neighborhoods in North America, with high-rises, Victorian houses, beaches on English Bay and Davie Street as the center of the LGBTQ scene. Chinatown, one of the largest in Canada, is home to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a classical garden in the style of the Ming dynasty. In Kitsilano, south of False Creek, you'll find yoga studios, a beach and basketball courts; Mount Pleasant and Main Street are known for craft beer, vintage shops and murals. Grandview-Woodland, with Commercial Drive, is the Italian-influenced, alternative neighborhood.

Museums and Culture

The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, housed in a building by Arthur Erickson, displays monumental totem poles and art of the coastal First Nations, including sculptures by Bill Reid. The Vancouver Art Gallery is devoted in part to Emily Carr, whose paintings of rainforests and totem poles are famous. Vancouver is also an important filming location for movies and series as "Hollywood North"; many street corners look familiar because they have already stood in for New York, Seattle or distant planets in productions. At Science World, the geodesic dome on False Creek, families can experiment and explore, and the Bill Reid Gallery in Downtown is devoted to the art of the Haida and other coastal First Nations. In summer, the Bard on the Beach festival brings Shakespeare performances to tents at Vanier Park, with views of the sea and mountains.

Food and Nightlife

Vancouver's restaurants benefit from fresh seafood and the proximity to Asia. Wild salmon, spot prawns, oysters and Dungeness crab appear on many menus. The city has some of the best sushi and dim sum restaurants outside Asia; in Richmond, south of the city, you'll find night markets and food courts with Chinese specialties. One local invention is the California roll, which is said to have originated here. In the evening, people gather at craft breweries in Mount Pleasant, at cocktail bars in Gastown, or on Granville Street with its clubs.

Getting Around, Best Time to Visit and Day Trips

Vancouver International Airport is on Sea Island, south of the city; the SkyTrain's Canada Line takes about 25 minutes to reach Downtown. The SkyTrain, buses and the SeaBus to North Vancouver form a good network. The best time to visit is from May to September, when it is dry and mild. In winter it often rains, and snow falls in the mountains. Popular day trips lead to the Capilano Suspension Bridge, up Grouse Mountain, along the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler, and by ferry to Vancouver Island.